A mother and her son were fatally shot by the woman’s ex-husband in their DeLand home Sunday night following a domestic dispute.
According to Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Michael D. Williams was arrested after he called police and admitted to the murders of his ex-wife, 48-year-old Marsha Ebanks-Williams, and her son, 28-year-old Robert Adams, at their home on Sunday evening.
Police were called to the home at 1322 East Parkway in the Daytona Park Estates neighborhood just before 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 18.
According to authorities, Mr. Williams called 911 and stated that he’d shot his ex-wife and her son in self-defense. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with Mr. Williams as he was sitting in a vehicle parked in the driveway.
Mr. Williams surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.
Deputies entered the home and found the bodies Ebanks-Williams and Adams deceased.
Adams’ two children, ages 5 and 6, were also found in the house. They were unharmed during the incident.
According to detectives, Mr. Williams and his ex-wife had been involved in an ongoing dispute over domestic issues, including electrical power to the house. Despite being divorced in June, the couple were both still living together after 10 years of marriage.
Police say the victim and defendant had both called the Sheriff’s Office on multiple occasions over the past several months to document verbal arguments about the property and living arrangements.
Before Sunday, however, authorities say there were no allegations of domestic violence or threats of violence.
On Sunday, Mr. Williams said he shut off power to the house, locked the electrical panel, and left the home.
Upon his return, Mr. Williams said he discovered the victims had cut the lock, restored power, and placed a new lock on the panel.
During the ensuing argument, Mr. Williams fatally shot both victims.
Mr. Williams told detectives he was attacked, held down, and punched repeatedly in the face during the argument. Officers noted that he did not have any apparent injuries that would indicate a physical altercation, other than a few superficial scratches.
Police believe the children may have witnessed the incident. The Department of Children and Families responded to the scene in order to care for the children while contact was made with their mother.
Mr. Williams’ criminal history includes arrests several years ago in another jurisdiction for domestic battery, child abuse, and battery on a law enforcement officer. According to court records, he was not convicted of any of those charges.
Following an interview with detectives, Mr. Williams was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail early on Monday morning. He is currently being held without bond and faces